Dear sisters and brothers, Let us strengthen the faith of others. Go out and multiply believers. Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
2nd
Sunday of Easter C
Sunday of Divine Mercy
3 April 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 11stst
reading: Acts 5,12-16reading: Acts 5,12-16
• 12 Many signs and wonders were done among
the people at the hands of the apostles. They
were all together in Solomon's portico. 13 None
of the others dared to join them, but the people
esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever,
believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and
women, were added to them. 15 Thus they
even carried the sick out into the streets and laid
them on cots and mats so that when Peter came
by, at least his shadow might fall on one or
another of them. 16 A large number of people
from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also
gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed
by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
The focus is on the signs and wonders.

3. 1st
reading: Acts 5,12-16
• 12 Many signs and wonders were done among
the people at the hands of the apostles. They
were all together in Solomon's portico. 13 None
of the others dared to join them, but the people
esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever,
believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and
women, were added to them. 15 Thus they
even carried the sick out into the streets and laid
them on cots and mats so that when Peter came
by, at least his shadow might fall on one or
another of them. 16 A large number of people
from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also
gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed
by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
Take note of the underlined words = signs and wonders

4. Textual Context of Acts 5,12-16
Outline of NAB
I. The Preparation for the Christian Mission (1,1—2,13)
II. The Mission in Jerusalem (2,14—8,3)
III. The Mission in Judea and Samaria (8,4—9,43)
IV. The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission (10,1—15,35)
V. The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth (15,36—
28,31)

6. 1st
reading: Acts 5,12-16
• 12 Many signs and
wonders were done
among the people at the
hands of the apostles.
They were all together in
Solomon's portico. 13
None of the others dared
to join them, but the
people esteemed them.
14 Yet more than ever,
believers in the Lord,
great numbers of men
and women, were added
to them. 15 Thus they
even carried the sick out
into the streets and laid
them on cots and mats
so that when Peter came
by, at least his shadow
might fall on one or
another of them. 16 A
large number of people
from the towns in the
vicinity of Jerusalem also
gathered, bringing the
sick and those disturbed
by unclean spirits, and
they were all cured.
Commentary
• The text enumerates the fruits of the preaching
(kerygma) of the apostles.
• V.12 speaks of the signs and wonders, not just
some signs and wonders but many (meaning that
God’s deeds through the apostles are impressive).
• V.12 also indicates the setting: Solomon’s portico
(in the Temple area).
• V.13 indicates the good standing of the apostles
due to their wonderful works. The apostles are
highly esteemed by the people.
• V.14 speaks of the increasing number of
believers (not just many conversions, but great
numbers).
• V.15 may not be taken literally. The shadow of
Peter falling on one or another indicates how
great Peter is.
• V.16 repeats the ideas in vv.14 and 15 (great
numbers and the sick/possessed).
• The signs and wonders are the miracles done by
Peter. These miracles continue the work of
Jesus’ healing ministry (and exorcisms).

7. Reflections on the 1st
reading
• To be an apostle/believer/disciple is to continue
what Jesus had begun.
• Faith in the risen Lord must be translated into the
multiplication of followers and the healing of the
sick and the possessed.
• Remember the theme of the Synod of Bishops
2012: “New Evangelization for the Transmission of
Christian Faith.”
• How many people have you brought to the Church
for baptism, confirmation, communion and
wedding?
• How many people have been enlightened in their
faith because of your testimony?
• What kind of a believer are you?

8. Resp. Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
• R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is
everlasting.
2 Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
• 13 I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
14 My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
15 The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
• 22 The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.

9. Resp. Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
• R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord for
he is good, his love is everlasting.
2 Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
• 13 I was hard pressed and was
falling, but the LORD helped me.
14 My strength and my courage is the
LORD,
and he has been my savior.
15 The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
• 22 The stone which the builders
rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has
made;let us be glad and rejoice in it.
Commentary
• The psalm is classified as
a thanksgiving hymn.
• Vv.2-4 recognize God’s
enduring mercy.
• V.13 relates the personal
experience (crisis) of the
psalmist and God’s help.
• In v.14 the psalmist
acknowledges who God is:
his strength, courage,
savior and joyful shout.
• Vv.22-24 speaks well of
the Risen Lord (rejected
stone which become
cornerstone). Let’s
celebrate!

10. Reflections on the Psalm
• Like the psalmist, we must be keen on what God
does wonderfully in us.
• This triggers our thanksgiving.
• We must believe that what God did to the
psalmist (to Jesus), he will also do to us.
• God will intervene in our lives.
• Don’t worry if people reject us, God will make
use of us. Just wait a little. Have faith in the
Divine Mercy.
• Don’t waste your time self-pitying and sulking.

11. 22ndnd
reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19
• 9 I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the
kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the
island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave
testimony to Jesus. 10 I was caught up in spirit on the Lord's day
and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, 11 which said,
"Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.
• 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and
when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands 13 and in the midst of
the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length
robe, with a gold sash around his chest.
• 17 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though
dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, "Do not be afraid.
I am the first and the last, 18 the one who lives. Once I was dead,
but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the
netherworld. 19 Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and
what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.
The focus is on the vision of the risen Christ.

12. 2nd
reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19
John, the witness, the visionary, the author
• 9 I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the
kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the
island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave
testimony to Jesus. 10 I was caught up in spirit on the Lord's day
and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, 11 which said,
"Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.
Jesus Christ, the son of man
• 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and
when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands 13 and in the midst of
the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length
robe, with a gold sash around his chest.
John’s reaction of his vision and the giving of his mission (to
write)
• 17 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though
dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, "Do not be afraid.
I am the first and the last, 18 the one who lives. Once I was dead,
but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the
netherworld. 19 Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and
what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.
A simple outline!

13. Patmos

14. 22ndnd
reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19
John, the witness, the
visionary, the author
• 9 I, John, your brother, who
share with you the distress,
the kingdom, and the
endurance we have in Jesus,
found myself on the island
called Patmos because I
proclaimed God's word and
gave testimony to Jesus. 10
I was caught up in spirit on
the Lord's day and heard
behind me a voice as loud as
a trumpet, 11 which said,
"Write on a scroll what you
see and send it to the seven
churches.
Jesus Christ, the son of man
• 12 Then I turned to see
whose voice it was that
spoke to me, and when I
turned, I saw seven gold
lampstands 13 and in the
midst of the lampstands one
like a son of man, wearing an
ankle-length robe, with a gold
sash around his chest.
Commentary
• In v.9, John, the author, relates where he
is now (Patmos, Greece).
• John describes himself as having
experienced distress (persecution) because
he preached the God’s kingdom and
Jesus.
• In vv.10-11, John describes his vision, as
having heard a loud voice, commissioning
him to write a letter and send it to the 7
churches. (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira,
Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.)
• In vv.12-13, he looks back to see where
the voice is coming from.
• He sees 7 gold lampstands and in their
midst a man like the son of man (Jesus),
wearing a long robe, etc.

15. 2nd
reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19
John’s reaction of his vision
and the giving of his mission
(to write)
• 17 When I caught sight of him,
I fell down at his feet as though
dead. He touched me with his
right hand and said, "Do not be
afraid. I am the first and the
last, 18 the one who lives.
Once I was dead, but now I am
alive forever and ever. I hold
the keys to death and the
netherworld. 19 Write down,
therefore, what you have seen,
and what is happening, and
what will happen afterwards.
• In v. 17, Jesus touches him with his
right hand and introduces himself as
– the first and the last (alpha and
omega), the first and last letters of the
Greek alphabet. (refer to v.8, not in the
reading)
– dead, now alive, v.18
– holding keys (last judge)
• In v.19, John is asked to write.
• Previously the disciples are only asked
to give witness, to heal, etc. If ever they
wrote, it is because they volunteered to
do so.
• This time, this disciple John is asked
to write.
• God tells him to write what he has
seen (past), what is happening
(present) and what will happen
(future). V.19.

16. Reflections on the second reading
• The resurrected Christ manifests himself not only in
Jerusalem, but also in the island of Patmos, away from
Israel.
• The resurrected Christ manifests himself not only to the
original apostles, but also to the believers and the
suffering witnesses who might not have seen Jesus.
• Still, in times of persecution, exile, and seclusion, the
risen Lord does not fail to give assignment to his faithful
ones.
• He asks him to write, not just to one community, but
seven.
• The scope of witnessing here is not limited to a single
community but to many.

17. Reflections, con’t
• The subject matter is not just what happened in the past,
but what is happening right now and what will happen in
the future.
• Christian witnessing is broad, not limited to a singular
time.
• The Christian must be able to handle (interpret) the past,
present and future (= to make understand God’s dealings with
humankind).
• No Christian should allow himself/herself to get stuck in
just one moment, esp. in the past.
• The Christians should have a lot of stories (about God’s
saving acts) to tell and to write.
• Do you also share your faith in writing? Do you contribute to your
newsletters or to some serious magazines? Come on, you can do
better than just lazily tagging at the Facebook.

18. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31
• 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked,
where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in
their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said
this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when
they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As
the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he
breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins
you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." 24
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus
came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But
he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my
finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with
them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst
and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger
here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do
not be unbelieving, but believe." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My
Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe
because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and
have believed." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his)
disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you
may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that
through this belief you may have life in his name.
The focus is on the faith in the Risen Lord.

19. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31
Setting: Sunday and Jesus’ appearance
• 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where
the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said
to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands
and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them
again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when
he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
The Doubting Thomas
• 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Setting: Another Sunday, with Thomas
• 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said,
"Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my
hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but
believe."
The Believing Thomas
• 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him,
"Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have
not seen and have believed." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of
(his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may
(come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this
belief you may have life in his name.
A simple outline

20. Textual Context of John 20,19-31
Outline of NAB
I. Prologue (1,1-18)
II. The Book of Signs (1,9—12,50)
III. The Book of Glory (13,1—20,31)
IV. Epilogue: The Resurrection and Appearance in
Galilee ((21,1-25)
The Empty Tomb (20,1-10)
Appearance to Mary Magdalene ( 20,11-18)
Appearance to the disciples (20,19-23)
Tomas (20,24-29)
Conclusion (20,30-31)

21. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31
Setting: Sunday and Jesus’ appearance
• 19 On the evening of that first day of the
week, when the doors were locked,
where the disciples were, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in their
midst and said to them, "Peace be with
you." 20 When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw
the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has
sent me, so I send you." 22 And when
he had said this, he breathed on them
and said to them, "Receive the holy
Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and whose sins you
retain are retained."
The Doubting Thomas
• 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the
Twelve, was not with them when Jesus
came. 25 So the other disciples said to
him, "We have seen the Lord." But he
said to them, "Unless I see the mark of
the nails in his hands and put my finger
into the nailmarks and put my hand into
his side, I will not believe."
Commentary
In this text, we must observe how things
change when Jesus appears.
In vv.19-20, the disposition of the disciples
changes from fear to joy. (They were
afraid… they rejoiced…)
In v.21, Jesus repeats his greeting of
peace and now he is sending them (in
v.22) to forgive or retain sins.
Here there is a change from being away
from the people (hiding) to being
personally with the people effecting God’s
forgiveness (mission).
The first to be notified of Jesus’
resurrection and appearance is Thomas,
but he is skeptic. For him, it is not so much
to see is to believe, but to touch is to
believe. Very demanding!

22. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31
Setting: Another Sunday, with Thomas
• 26 Now a week later his disciples
were again inside and Thomas was
with them. Jesus came, although the
doors were locked, and stood in their
midst and said, "Peace be with you."
27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your
finger here and see my hands, and
bring your hand and put it into my
side, and do not be unbelieving, but
believe."
The Believing Thomas
• 28 Thomas answered and said to
him, "My Lord and my God!" 29
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to
believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen
and have believed." 30 Now Jesus
did many other signs in the presence
of (his) disciples that are not written in
this book. 31 But these are written
that you may (come to) believe that
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may
have life in his name.
Here, Jesus appears again for the sake of
Thomas. He knows his needs.
He appears in a similar setting/manner
(doors locked, appearing, greetings of peace.)
v.26
Jesus hones his attention on Thomas and
encourages him to change from disbelief
to faith. V.27
Thomas changes as desired. He
expresses his conversion (belief) through
these simple but all encompassing words
unexpressed by any other disciple, “My
God and my all!” v.28
The last 3 verses propose change
(conversion to believe) to the readers.
The last line gives the reason: to have life
in his name.

23. Reflections on the gospel reading
• Like Thomas, we Christians are called to believe in the
resurrection of Christ.
• Faith in the risen Lord must be shown in the joy (not fear) in
our hearts and in our mission.
• Not to go on mission is a sign of failure to grasp the
meaning of our faith in the risen Lord.
• Our mission is to extend God’s forgiveness of sins to
others (salvation).
• Christians who are holed up in their comforts, without a
sense of responsibility, are not true believers in the Risen
Lord.
• They are nominal Christians (Christians in name only, irrelevant,
good for nothing in the church).

24. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• As usual, we try to seek the common elements of the 3 readings
to help us focus our homilies and sharing.
• The first reading describes the successful activities of
the apostles (particularly Peter) and the response of many
people. They become believers.
• The psalm expresses belief that God has shown his
mercy to the rejected one.
• The second reading (Revelation) describes the mission
of the exiled believer of the risen Lord to write for the
churches (community of believers).
• The gospel invites us to believe in the risen Christ.

25. How to develop your homily and sharing
• The preacher is tasked to make the faith in the
risen Lord more alive in our communities.
• We presuppose that the people we are addressing to are
already believers.
• What we are supposed to do here is to
challenge our listeners to be more active in their
faith.
• Active faith is expressed in joining in the
liturgical celebrations of the Church, receiving
the sacraments and doing charitable works.

26. • But active in faith is much more than living
the sacramental life and doing pious
works.
• What is to be more active in faith?
• Let’s take the cue from the readings.

27. • In the first reading, like the believer, Peter, we
must preach Jesus and continue Jesus’ ministry
of preaching, healing and exorcism.
• We must contribute to the increase of believers
and practicing catholics.
• The Legionaries or some mandated organizations do not
monopolize the work of scouting people who have not been
baptized, confirmed, married in Church… or, have not received
the sacraments.
• We can increase our number by working very
hard (in an organized way) and by talking less.
• In the meetings, we can give an accounting of how many
people we have convinced to go to church.

28. • Like John, the author of Apocalypse, in the
second reading, we must continue giving witness
to the risen Lord through writing or dissemination
of materials to the Christian communities.
– Writing nowadays can be done not only through
newsletters, but texting, developing a worthwhile website,
multimedia productions, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• We must be creative how to express our faith.
• Our writings, compositions and artistic works
(paintings, sculptures) must be done well in order to
gain respect even from unbelievers.

29. • Like John, the author of the gospel, we must be able to
give an account of our spiritual journey to others, so that
they too may come to believe and have eternal life.
• Those who have been in the church for a long time
should stop acting like doubting Thomases, if there are.
• We believe even if we don’t understand yet. We will
never fully understand anyway.
• We should roll up our sleeves and begin working
seriously as true and dedicated believers.
• According to tradition, St. Thomas went on mission and
made a lot of conversions in Persia (Iran) and India.

30. • There are still many Thomases today who need
assistance in their journey to faith (personalized special
intervention, accompaniment, catechesis, indoctrination, formation,
etc.).
• These modern Thomases might have encountered the smart
members of other religious denominations and have become
confused with their feeble faith or have undergone a terrible
crisis in life.
• Here we need good spiritual directors, guides and
advisers, and support groups to handle them.
• Support groups are those which can professionally help
lead the inquisitive or confused brothers back to the true
and active Catholic faith.

31. • On the part of the pastors (priests), supposedly the number
one believers, they should invest more time and money
with people who are willing to do mission and
evangelization.
• Gone should be the days when the church spend so much
time and money for socials, outings, and frequent eat-outs.
Those are the needs of the rich and the famous.
• In this Year of Faith, let us not waste our time doing trivial
things. Pope Francis was told, “Don’t forget the poor.” We
too are told.
• Let us engage in the New Evangelization. The Synod of
Bishops of 2012 speaks of many Samaritan women
(people) carrying their empty buckets (Point 1), thirsting for
life giving water of Jesus.

32. • Evangelization and mission should be the main
concern of all parishioners.
• Each mandated organization should examine
itself, if it still exists for others.
• If it exists only for itself, it should disintegrate. It
has no right to be represented in the parish
pastoral council. Its faith is dead.

33. • In the eucharist, we encounter the risen Christ.
• The eucharist makes our faith in the risen Lord
truly alive.
• The eucharist strengthens us in our mission and
evangelization work and makes us credible in
our witnessing.

34. Our Context of Sin and Grace
• Skepticism
• Nominal Catholics
• Too much singing during
charismatic meetings,
without time for
substantial inputs
• Formators / educators
without updating
• Mandated organizations
which have turned into a
club (for themselves),
detached from the
mainstream of the parish,
thus outdated, in-
breeding, comfortable
only with themselves,
narcissitic
• Strong catechetical
program
• Solid faith, solid
theological formation
• Aral (educated, trained)
• Strong missionary spirit
• Missionaries inter gentes
and ad gentes
• Intelligent and hard
working parishioners
• Social services

35. Suggested Songs
• Come Build My Church
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk
• Come To Me
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID90ryPYU00
• Go Tell Everyone
• Isang Pananampalataya

36. • Dear sisters and brothers,
• Let us strengthen the faith of others. Go
out and multiply believers.
• Fr. Cielo